In line with its regulatory and legislative responsibilities stipulated in the Civil Aviation Law No. (76/2019),The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) continues its dedicated efforts to advance environmental sustainability in the aviation sector.

The above-mentioned law entrusts the CAA with managing all environmental issues related to aviation operations, ensuring clarity of roles and avoiding any overlap or duplication with other entities.

These efforts are aligned with the objectives of the National Aviation Strategy 2040 and Oman Vision 2040.

The CAA emphasized that Article (7) of the law authorizes it to issue regulations concerning environmental protection from the impacts of civil aviation in accordance with international standards and in coordination with relevant stakeholders.

 Article (8) further mandates the establishment of rules ensuring compliance with international environmental requirements, reflecting the Authority’s central role in leading environmental sustainability efforts within this vital sector.

Environmental Sustainability Legislation and Principles:

Khalid bin Hilal Al Toobi, Director of the Civil Aviation Environmental Protection Department at the Civil Aviation Authority CAA, clarified that the National Aviation Strategy 2040 aims to enhance the legislative and regulatory framework governing the aviation sector, including safety, security, environmental protection, and aviation economics.

He noted that the strategy is founded on adopting environmental sustainability principles as one of its key pillars, alongside implementing the Environmental Sustainability Program for Air Carriers.

This contributes to achieving environmental compliance and promoting innovative solutions within the air transport sector in line with international standards and commitments.

He further stressed the Authority’s commitment to strengthening aviation environmental protection through the development of regulatory and legislative frameworks, improving the sector’s environmental performance, and supporting national initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

The Authority also promotes the adoption of clean technologies and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), enhancing the competitiveness of Oman’s aviation sector while keeping pace with global trends toward a low-carbon economy.

Al -Toobi pointed out that the Authority implements and oversees an integrated system of environmental legislation and regulations governing the aviation sector, ensuring compliance by all operators with relevant national and international standards.

The Authority conducts regular monitoring and inspection programs for airlines and airports to assess environmental performance, tracks carbon emissions generated by aviation activities, oversees the implementation of emissions reduction and offsetting requirements, and verifies environmental reports submitted by air carriers. These measures enhance transparency and reinforce environmental governance principles across the sector.

He added that these efforts reflect the Authority’s commitment to supporting national sustainability objectives and maintaining a balance between the rapid growth of the aviation sector and environmental protection in line with international best practices.

Advanced National Efforts and Ambitious Plans:

The Civil Aviation Authority has intensified efforts to mitigate the environmental impacts of both domestic and international aviation activities, reaffirming its commitment to developing a modern and sustainable aviation sector.

These efforts contribute directly to achieving Oman Vision 2040, the Sultanate’s national net-zero target by 2050, and the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Long Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG).

The Role of the CAA in Aviation Environmental Protection:

The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for monitoring the implementation of commitments related to aviation environmental protection and contributing to the development of environmental policies and legislation concerning the sector.

It also collects and analyzes environmental statistics in accordance with relevant requirements.

The Authority participates in formulating Oman’s environmental policy and advancing national net-zero objectives related to civil aviation activities in coordination with relevant entities.

 It monitors and assesses the environmental impacts of civil aviation and airport operations and contributes to developing proposals and initiatives to mitigate those impacts.

Furthermore, the Authority oversees the implementation of local and international environmental programs aimed at reducing emissions from aviation activities, including the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and carbon accreditation programs.

National Aviation Environmental Protection Committee:

A National Civil Aviation Environmental Protection Committee has been established under the chairmanship of the Civil Aviation Authority, with membership from the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, the Environment Authority, and key stakeholders from the aviation sector.

The committee is responsible for monitoring the implementation of responsibilities and obligations outlined under ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme, as well as reviewing policies and resolutions related to aviation environmental protection issued by ICAO and monitoring Oman’s compliance with their implementation.

Projects Supporting Aviation Environmental Protection:

The Civil Aviation Authority is pursuing several projects aimed at enhancing environmental sustainability in the aviation sector.

 Key initiatives include projects focused on reducing emissions from aviation and evaluating the most effective environmental and economic mitigation options at both local and international levels.

Additional projects address aircraft and airport noise management, improvement of air quality impacted by aviation activities, strengthening the aviation sector’s resilience and adaptation to climate change impacts, and issuing regulations and legislation related to aviation environmental protection.

National Action Plan:

In 2023, the Sultanate of Oman submitted its State Action Plan for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from international civil aviation to ICAO.

The plan outlines projected air traffic growth in Oman, estimated emissions from international civil aviation through 2050, and mitigation measures that can be implemented to reduce emissions.

These measures are based on ICAO’s basket of mitigation actions, which includes technological improvements, operational enhancements, and market-based measures such as CORSIA.

Oman will continue to update the plan periodically in cooperation with local and international stakeholders to ensure alignment with global best practices and support the achievement of long-term emissions reduction goals.

Emissions Reduction Efforts in Oman’s Aviation Sector:

The Sultanate of Oman has adopted a comprehensive approach to enhancing the sustainability of its aviation sector, built on four key pillars: technological development, operational efficiency improvements, expanded use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and adherence to international mechanisms.

This approach reflects the Sultanate of Oman’s commitment to implementing global best practices and achieving a balance between economic growth and environmental protection.

Technological and Operational Improvements:

To reduce emissions through improved aircraft technology, national airlines continue to modernize their fleets through carefully planned phased programs. Older aircraft are being replaced with newer models that offer greater fuel efficiency, utilize lightweight materials, and feature advanced engine technologies.

This transition enhances operational performance and contributes significantly to reducing carbon emissions, supporting national sustainability objectives.

Operational efficiency also plays a crucial role in emissions reduction. A range of internationally recognized measures is being implemented to optimize fuel consumption without requiring substantial capital investment.

 These measures include optimized takeoff and landing procedures, single-engine taxi operations after landing, and other fuel-saving practices.

In addition, air traffic management systems have undergone significant advancements through the introduction of modern communication, navigation, and surveillance technologies.

These improvements have enhanced air traffic flow, increased airspace efficiency, generated fuel savings, and reduced aviation-related emissions.

Sustainable and Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels:

The Sultanate of Oman is placing increasing emphasis on the development and utilization of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Lower Carbon Aviation Fuel (LCAF) by exploring national opportunities for production and deployment, while assessing the challenges and policy frameworks required to support this transition. In 2023, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) organized the Sustainable and Lower Carbon Aviation Fuel and Clean Energy Innovation Support Forum under the theme “Clean Fuel for Sustainable Aviation.”

The forum brought together senior government officials, international experts, and representatives of global institutions and companies.

It aimed to support the development of sustainable and lower-carbon aviation fuels and enhance their role in reducing the environmental impact of the aviation sector, in line with Oman Vision 2040 and international commitments, while also exploring investment opportunities in this field.

In 2024, the Civil Aviation Authority established a National Sustainable and Lower-Carbon Aviation Fuel Task Force comprising representatives from relevant government entities, airlines, airports, the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, fuel producers, academic institutions, and research centers.

 The task force aims to develop a comprehensive national framework for the sector through the formulation of national policies, promotion of public-private partnerships, market analysis and identification of investment opportunities, enhancement of airport readiness for the use of sustainable fuels, assessment of economic and social impacts, and support for research, development, and national capacity-building initiatives. Studies and research are currently being undertaken to explore opportunities for developing a sustainable and lower-carbon aviation fuel industry in the Sultanate of Oman.

Several companies in Oman are actively pursuing the development of sustainable aviation fuels using a variety of technologies, including waste-to-fuel conversion, organic feedstocks, selected agricultural crops, hydrogen, captured carbon dioxide, and other innovative pathways. Oman Vision 2040 and the National Net Zero 2050 Strategy provide a strong foundation for advancing renewable energy and green hydrogen, thereby enhancing prospects for the development of sustainable and lower-carbon aviation fuels and positioning Oman as a potential future supplier of clean energy solutions for the aviation sector.

Lower Carbon Aviation Fuel (LCAF) represents a practical and near-term option for reducing aviation emissions in Oman, given the country’s status as an oil producer with established refining infrastructure. However, its deployment requires advanced environmental life-cycle assessments and the development of effective carbon-intensity reduction mechanisms, while addressing challenges related to high costs and the need for specialized technical expertise.

Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA):

The Sultanate of Oman, together with other Member States of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), adopted the resolution establishing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) during the 39th Session of the ICAO Assembly in 2016.

The Sultanate of Oman was among the countries that formally expressed, in June 2017, their intention to voluntarily participate in CORSIA from the pilot phase onwards.

The Civil Aviation Authority has coordinated closely with national air operators—Oman Air and SalamAir—to ensure compliance with all data-reporting and operational requirements under the scheme.

The Authority has also issued national legislation to implement CORSIA, requiring national airlines to monitor and report carbon dioxide emissions from international flights and to purchase eligible carbon offset units in accordance with ICAO requirements.

Furthermore, the Civil Aviation Authority is working to maximize the national environmental and economic benefits arising from the implementation of CORSIA by coordinating with relevant stakeholders to support the development of domestic projects capable of generating carbon credits.

This approach is intended to enhance environmental and economic returns at the national level, strengthen Oman’s participation in international carbon markets, and create added value for national development projects.

Sustainable Airports and Active International Engagement:

With regard to airport environmental management, the Authority has intensified environmental inspection activities and developed monitoring templates to track environmental performance.

It is also working on the development of a comprehensive regulatory framework for sustainability governance across airports.

The Authority has further strengthened its international presence by preparing more than ten specialized working papers for international forums and holding leadership positions, including Vice Chair of the Environment Committee of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO), in addition to its membership in ICAO’s Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP).

Broad Partnerships and Growing Awareness:

The Authority has established a broad network of effective local and international partnerships involving airlines, airports, government entities, private-sector organizations, academic institutions, and research centers. It has also activated relevant national committees and enhanced institutional coordination and integration.

In addition, the Authority has organized and hosted a number of specialized events and workshops, including the 29th Meeting of the Environment Committee of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization, while intensifying awareness efforts through media initiatives and community engagement activities.

The Civil Aviation Authority reaffirms its commitment to advancing environmental sustainability in the aviation sector and achieving a balanced approach that supports economic growth while safeguarding the environment. These efforts are aligned with global trends and contribute to enhancing the sector’s competitiveness at both the regional and international levels.